Randy Carlyle: Wednesday Practice

Carlyle takes a question on David Clarkson’s first five games, the return of Mark Fraser, his desire for his team to get back to a “workmanlike” effort with less cute play, and some odd questions on hazing in hockey.

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I know all the talk is about the Leafs maybe trying to find some help at centre . Meanwhile, TJ Brennan is scoring like a high end forward for the Marlies, and I don't think its a fluke. His pedigree is pretty good. Drafted 31st overall in 2007, with a canon of a shot . He is also a good sized lad at over six feet and around 215 lbs . Surely there is an NHL club out there who could use this guy , and I am not proposing sending him away for a 4th round draft pick. He may be very useful to package with other players in a big trade. I guess I am thinking there is no room at the inn , as the Leafs are pretty deep with defencemen. Kind of ironic that a team with so many decent D men play such poor defence. But defence is about five guys being responsible , and we all know that . Anyway...what to do with TJ ???

Older article from this spring on Smithson. Good stuff in there relating to his hitting and blocking of shots. Clearly a defence only guy.

"Hits: The 6’3, 209-pound forward (for all those faceoffs, he’s played quite a bit at wing as well) consistently takes his pound of flesh. He has wound up either first or second on his team in hits the last eight seasons in a row, leading the Predators every year from 2007-11. In 2013 he finished the season with more hits than any other Oiler forward, although obviously most of those were credited while he was in Flordia."

Faceoffs: On the sunny side of 50% eight seasons in a row, and north of 54% every year but 2007-08 (“just” 52.1%). This despite routinely taking a ton of lower-percentage shorthanded faceoffs and hardly any on the powerplay. At even strength Smithson is a solid 57% in over 3000 draws since 2005.

@Jmessih@Mind Bomb Bigger than Ziggy too. I saw the pair of em together when the Americans were in town couple weeks back and Ziggy is good on draws but he gets muscled off the puck. Smithson is good on draws and doesn't get muscled off the puck - he's a pretty big kid, kinda skinny, but good positionally and does simple, smart, plays without mistakes.

@Gilbey93@Dan39@Jmessih Yeah, I know, I'm just saying he's not terrible. Some people are making out like he's this last resort, desperation option - I actually posted about this yesterday - he played 588 game sin the NHL. He may be worn down some physically, but he's not a terrible skater, he is definitely well-experienced player, which means we can expect him to be responsible and he also has a skill we are short of in his faceoff ability. For a guy who is free, it's a nice piece to have!

@Jmessih@Dan39 That's true but, no, I don't think Mirtle watches the Marlies let alone other AHL teams. I've seen him say things in the past that nobody would say if they followed the Marlies. I think it was him last year talking about who would get called up as backup if the starter went down and he was talking about Rynnas - nobody who watched MacIntyre and Rynnas last year would think that.

@loomx@Dan39@ingy56 I've seen all his home games this year and there's no way he's as terrible a skater as Steckel. I mean, he's not as quick as McKegg - that's clear to see, but he keeps pace with the play. He's not an awful skater - no way.